England
Cumbria

Shap Abbey

A rare Premonstratensian house, founded around 1200 in a bleak setting. The original abbey was established at Preston Patrick by a local landowner, but it was moved to its present location around 1201.

It has the distinction of being the last abbey to be dissolved by Henry VIII, seeing its last service in 1540.

Most of the abbey buildings are little more than crumbling walls now, with the notable exception of the huge west bell tower, which was built in about 1500.

To the north of the cloisters is the church, built in the 13th century but lengthened in two centuries later. Look for the circles marked in the pavement of the nave; they mark the stations taken up by the canons after a procession around the buildings on Sundays.

16th century Keld Chapel (National Trust) is close by.

Contact
Shap Abbey
Shap
Cumbria
England

Location: 1½ miles W of Shap on the bank of the River Lowther
Website: Shap Abbey

OPENING
any reasonable time

ENTRY: free

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© David Ross and Britain Express